Chapter 16.
King Richard Dines in Sherwood Forest.
After the death of good King Henry, his son Richard, known as Lionheart because of his bravery on the battlefield, took the throne.
He decided to make a royal tour across England so that he could better get to know both the country and his subjects.
Everyone felt sure that he would visit Nottingham on his journey.
Soon, messengers went riding back and forth between the sheriff and the king until at last, a date was agreed on for the king to come to Nottingham.
To prepare for the king's arrival, great arches were built across the streets that Richard Wood passed, and many of these arches were draped with silk banners and streamers of many colors.
In the town's guild hall, where a great feast was being prepared, the best carpenters built a throne where the king would sit at the head of the table with the sheriff at his side.
On the morning of King Richard's visit, the bright sun shone down into the stony streets, now alive with a restless sea of people, country and town folk alike.
They were packed together so close that the sheriff's men could hardly push them back to leave space for the king's path.
Among the crowd stood many men in Lincoln Green, for Robin and his companions greatly admired their new king.
After a long wait, the clear sounds of many bugles came winding down the street and all the people turned their heads and began looking in the direction from which the sounds came.
At long last, the king's men-at-arms galloped into the center of the town, as all the people began to cheer.
Never had Nottingham seen a more wonderful sight than when a hundred noble knights, all dressed in polished armor that sparkled brightly in the sun, proudly rode down the streets.
The clattering sounds that the massive hooves of their great warhorses made on cobblestone only added to the marvel.
Behind the valiant knights came the great nobles of the land, dressed in robes made of silk and gold and with golden chains around their necks.
They were followed by a vast swarm of men at arms, holding spears in their hands, as they marched past the crowd.
In the midst of this procession came two riders side by side.
One of them was the sheriff of Nottingham, dressed in the great robes of his office.
The other, who was a head taller than the king, wore a rich but simple garb with a broad, heavy chain around his neck.
His hair and beard were like gold, and his eyes were as blue as the summer sky.
As he rode along, he bowed first to the right and then to the left.
A mighty roar of voices followed him as he passed, for this was King Richard.
Robin and his men cheered the king the loudest.
That night, the great dinner to honor King Richard's visit was held in the guild hall.
A thousand lights gleamed along a huge table where lords and nobles and knights feasted with delight.
At the head of the table, upon a throne covered with gold cloth, sat King Richard, with a sheriff dotting him just beside him.
After a time, King Richard turned to the sheriff and said I have heard about a band of outlaws in these parts led by a man named Robin Hood.
Can you tell me anything about him?
Hearing these words, the sheriff's face turned gloomy.
He then said I can tell your majesty little about those naughty rogues, except that they are the boldest lawbreakers in the land.
One of the king's favorite men, Sir Henry of the Lee, now spoke up.
"'May it please your majesty,' he said.
"'When I was away in France, I often heard from my father.
Most of the time my father told me about this very fellow, Robin Hood.
If your majesty would like, I will tell you a certain adventure of this outlaw.'"
Then the king, with a smile on his face, gave permission to Sir Henry to continue.
Sir Henry then spoke about how Robin Hood had helped his father, Sir Richard of the Lee.
King Richard laughed when he heard that Robin Hood had used the bishop of Hereford's money to pay Sir Richard's debts.
The bishop who sat beside the king turned redder and redder with each sentence.
Seeing how much the king had truly enjoyed such a merry tale, others at the table also began to tell stories about Robin Hood.
By the hilt of my sword.
The king declared after hearing their stories, this is the boldest merry knave I have ever heard of.
Later that night, the king sat up talking with Sir Henry and some of his other knights.
His mind was still on Robin Hood.
I would give 100 pounds to meet this Robin Hood and see some of his doings in Sherwood Forest.
Sir Hubert laughed.
If your majesty would truly like to meet Robin Hood, I can arrange it.
If your majesty is willing to lose one hundred pounds, you can not only meet this fellow, but you can also feast with him in Sherwood Forest.
How can we do that? asked the king.
Your Majesty, we will dress as friars.
You will wear a purse containing one hundred pounds.
Then we will take the road through Sherwood Forest to Mansfield Town tomorrow.
Before the day is ended, we will meet Robin Hood and dine with him.
I like your plan, the king said happily.
We set forth tomorrow.
The next morning, just as King Richard and his men were preparing to leave, the sheriff of Nottingham came to visit.
After the king told him about the plan to meet Robin Hood, the sheriff drew the king aside for a private talk.
Your Majesty, you are riding into danger, the sheriff warned.
Oh, my great lord and king, this villain, Robin Hood, has no respect either for the king or the king's laws.
Robin Hood has shed no blood since he was outlawed except, or so I have heard, for that Guy of Gisborne, replied the king.
And Guy was such an evil rogue that all honest men should thank Robin.
Yes, your majesty, the sheriff answered.
You have heard correctly.
Nevertheless, what then do I have to fear? asked the king, interrupting the sheriff.
I have done him no harm.
Truly there is no danger in this.
But perhaps you will come with us, Sir Sheriff.
The sheriff turned white just at the very thought of an encounter with Robin.
Heaven forbid, he cried.
King Richard and his men then rode out of Nottingham.
They put the hoods of their robes over their faces so that no one would recognize them.
After they had been on the road for some time, the king grew thirsty.
"'I would give fifty pounds for something to soothe my parched throat,' he cried.
Instantly, a blonde man with dazzling blue eyes jumped into the road and grabbed the bridle of the king's horse.
Truly, holy brother, it would be wrong to deny your wish.
We keep an inn here.
For fifty pounds, we will give you a good drink and a noble feast.
Robin put his bugle to his lips and blew.
The bushes rustled and sixty men in Lincoln green popped up on both sides of the road.
Who are you, naughty rogue?
King Richard demanded.
Don't you have any respect for holy men?
Not a bit, answered Robin.
As for my name, it is Robin Hood.
You may have heard of me.
Out upon thee, said King Richard.
You are a bold and naughty fellow, and a lawless one, too.
Now let me and my brothers pass in peace.
We can't let such holy men travel with empty stomachs, protested Robin.
Show me your purse, Reverend Brother, or I may have to strip your robes from you to search for it myself.
No, use no force, the king said sturdily.
Here is my purse.
Don't lay your lawless hands on my person.
Tut, tut, chided Robin Hood.
Whom do you think you are?
Are you the King of England to talk like that to me?
Robin Hood handed the purse to Will Scarlet for counting.
When Will had finished, Robin stuffed fifty pounds into his pockets and gave the other fifty back to the King.
Here, brother, take back half your money.
Will you put back your hood?
I would like to see your face.
No. said the king, I may not put back my hood.
We seven have taken a vow that we will not show our faces for twenty-four hours.
Then keep them covered in peace, Robin said.
I would never ask you to break your vow.
When they reached the greenwood tree, Robin told his men to bring glasses of drink.
Then he raised a toast.
Here is to good King Richard.
May all his enemies be dashed to the ground.
All drink to the king's health, even King Richard.
I think, good fellow, he said, that you have drunk to your own dashing.
No, said Robin.
We of Shorewood are loyal to our lord.
We would give our very lives for him.
The king laughed.
Perhaps King Richard's health and happiness is more to me than you know, but enough of that matter.
We have paid well for our fare, so can you not show us some sport?
We are always happy to please our guests, Robin said agreeably.
Lads, set up a garland at the end of the glade.
Swiftly, the men hung wreaths of leaves and flowers from a stake on a broad tree trunk.
Robin Hood called out the rules.
There is a fair mark, lads.
Each shoots three arrows.
If any fellow misses, he will get a swat from Will Scarlet's fist.
Listen to him, cried Friar Tuck.
Why master, you give away swats from your strapping nephew as if they were love-taps from a young girl?
David of Duncaster shot first.
All three arrows struck within the ring of the wreath.
Then Midge the miller shot.
He also hit the mark every time.
Watt, the tinker, followed, but his luck was bad.
One of his arrows missed the wreath by an inch.
Come here, fellow, Will Scarlet said in a soft, gentle voice.
I owe you something that I would like to pay you.
Watt braced for the blow, closing his eyes tightly.
Will Scarlet reared back, then swung his arm.
His palms smacked Watt in the head, and the tinker tumbled to the grass.
As Watt sat rubbing his ear, everyone roared.
King Richard laughed until tears ran down his cheeks.
The men continued their sport, and most of the merry men hit the target.
Some missed and suffered the same fate Watt had.
Robin's turn came last.
His first arrow split a piece from the stake that held the wreath.
The second arrow struck within an inch of the first.
The king thought, I would give one thousand pounds to have this fellow as one of my guard.
Robin's third arrow was poorly feathered, though.
It wobbled in midair and struck the tree an inch outside the wreath.
The men sitting on the ground rolled around with laughter.
They had never before seen their master miss his target by so much.
Robin flung his bow down and declared, That arrow had a bad feather.
Give me another, and I will split a stick with it.
Everyone laughed louder than ever.
No, good uncle, said Will Scarlet sweetly.
You had a fair chance.
Come here, I owe you something, and—
I would like to pay.
Go, good master, roared Friar Tuck.
You have bestowed these love taps of Will Scarlet's with great freedom.
It would be a pity if you did not get your share.
It may not be, Robin protested.
I am king here, and no subject may raise a hand against a king.
But even our great King Richard may yield to a churchman without shame.
I will yield myself to this holy friar.
Robin turned to the king.
I ask you, brother, will you take my punishment into your holy hands?
With all my heart, said King Richard, I owe you something for taking a weight of fifty pounds from my purse.
If you make me tumble, I will give back your fifty pounds, but if I don't feel grass against my back, Robin warned I will take every penny you have.
I am willing to venture it, agreed the king.
He rolled up his sleeve and cocked his arm.
Robin stood before him, his feet planted wide, smiling.
Then King Richard delivered a blow like a thunderbolt and knocked Robin to the grass.
His men clutched their stomachs in laughter.
Robin sat up, looking as though he had been dropped from a cloud.
Finally, he said, "'Will Scarlet, count this fellow out fifty pounds.
I want nothing more of either him or his money.
I should have taken my punishment from you.'
I believe I'm deaf in one ear now.
The king bowed to Robin.
I thank you, fellow.
If you should ever wish for another box on the air, I will give it to you for nothing.
Suddenly, all heard a horse pounding through the forest.
Sir Richard of the Lee galloped into the glade.
"'Make haste, dear friend!' he shouted breathlessly.
"'King Richard left Nottingham Town this very morning, looking for you.
Gather your band and come with me to the castle in the Lee.'
Sir Richard pulled up short and stared at the men dressed as friars.
"'Who are these strangers?'
Why, answered Robin, rising from the grass, these are some gentle guests we found on the high road.
I don't know their names, but I've become well acquainted with this rogue's palm.
Sir Richard looked keenly at the tall friar.
The friar stood up to his full height and held Sir Richard's eyes.
Suddenly, Sir Richard's cheeks grew pale.
He leaped off his horse and dropped to his knees. the friar threw back his hood.
How dare you offer your castle, Sir Richard?
King Richard demanded sternly.
Will you make it a hiding place for the most well-known outlaws in England?
Sir Richard raised his eyes to the king.
I would never do anything to anger your majesty, but I would sooner suffer your wrath than see any harm come to Robin Hood and his band.
I owe them life, honor, everything, should I desert them in their hour of need.
As the knight finished speaking, one of the mock friars came forward and knelt beside Sir Richard.
He threw back his hood and Sir Richard recognized the face of his son.
Sir Henry of the Lee said Here I kneel, King Richard.
I have served you well.
I have stepped between you and death, but I must tell you that I, too, would shelter Robin Hood.
My father's honor is as dear to me as my own.
King Richard looked slowly around, then his frown curled into a smile.
Your son takes after you in action and speech, he said to Sir Richard.
It is true what he says.
He did save my life in battle.
For that reason, I would pardon you, Sir Richard, even if you had done worse.
Rise, all of you.
You will suffer no harm from me to date.
It would be a pity to spoil such a merry time.
The king called Robin over.
How are you?
Is your ear still too deaf to hear me speak?
My ears would be deafened in death before they would cease to hear your majesty's voice, said Robin.
But for my mercy and the loyalty to me you spoke of earlier, I might have closed your ears for good, said King Richard with some coldness in his voice.
The danger is past.
I give you and all your band free pardon.
I would like to take you into my guard, along with little John, your cousin Will Scarlet and your minstrel Alan Adale.
As for the rest, we will appoint them royal rangers.
They will be law-abiding caretakers of our deer in Sherwood rather than outlawed poachers.
Now, ready for a feast?
For I would like to see how you live in these woodlands.
That night, King Richard slept on a bed of tender green leaves.
The next morning, the famous outlaws marched into town with the king.
A day later, Robin Hood, Little John, and Will Scarlet said goodbye to their old friends.
They hugged them and shook their hands, promising to return often to Sherwood.
Then each man mounted a horse and proudly rode off to serve his king.
